stein

I can't comment on the quality of one vs the other, but to me the Nashville 335's were/are great. The Memphis ones are supposed to be an upgrade, as in more expensive versions and obviously they cost more to buy. What sucks is that Gibson is not making the standard production versions at Nashville anymore, so a new 335 is more expensive to buy. This has affected the cost of used Nashville 335's from what I can see.

I love a good mystery. Personally, I agree there is a flowerpot inlay, and the tailpiece is IS either a byrdland tailpiece or one that is exactly like it that might say something else (although I would say that is so out there it is not likely). Also, while I can't be sure the top is spruce, it sure looks like spruce more than maple (laminated or not). For one, I see what I think is a slightly different color than the sides. And also, the biggest clue is the changes it shows to different angles to the lighting. At different angles, more or less of the straight grain shows, as well as contrast between the left and right sides. Spruce looks like this. Maple usually shows more or less flame and color perpendicular at different angles. I am with L5LARRY that the body is deeper than the standard Byrdland or 350T. It does not look like a 350/L5 full depth, but it does look like the in between 125/135 depth. So, if that is correct, we have TWO major differences: the body depth and the fret markers. SO, THAT is the biggest clues, right? In my opinion, if we look at what Gibson has done in the past as far as variations and different models, it is not unbelievable that Gibson would make something with different specs while not introducing a new model. When Gibson has introduced new models, especially with arch-top electrics, they usually define them with different tailpieces and headstock inlays. IMO, and my best guess from what I can see, is that this guitar is a VARIATION and a rare version of a Byrdland, and Gibson has made it to be a Byrdland.

Could you use a blowtorch on the pups to make them hotter?

I don't think anyone is trying to deter you from personalizing your guitar. Lots of us do it. But the point is, just in case, mods that are permanent tend to devalue a guitar. If you are doing any mods, whether changing parts for looks or adding tremolos or changing pickups, you should do it for YOU. The money you spend is never going to add to what you could sell it for. In some cases, like things that aren't a stock item or just a strange mod that is rarely done, it will detract when selling because it will be seen as something to change back. But, you shouldn't let that stop you-just something to be aware of. *If you are on the other end and buying, if it seems a model was changed to be a "signature" model or something it did not leave the factory as, you should be suspicious.

I don't see how you could burn into the wood without destroying the finish. It would require a refin anyway to do something like that, unless there is a way to do it to the finish that I have personally never seen. I can't comment on the differences between the BB pro's and the '57 classics, having never owned either one. But, my thought is that the when ever a "new" pickup comes out they are sometimes thought to be better, but it isn't always the case. Sometimes, it is just different. Perhaps, if you could elaborate on what you want to change about it, you might get some suggestions.

They were but it was short lived. Not anymore. OR, yes, that is true. But then again, sinse Gibson started making Epi overseas, there have been some runs made here.

ALL Gibsons are made in the USA, no exceptions. Epiphone is what goes on a Gibson when they are made elsewhere.

I am confused. You came on here to find out if a guitar was genuine or a fake, then when you are told it is a fake and shown why, now you say it is NOT a fake? I don't want to slam your purchase or put you down as a person. If you like it and are happy, then that is a good thing. But you didn't ask if you should buy the guitar or not, you didn't ask if it was a good guitar or not. You asked if it was a genuine Epiphone or a fake Epiphone. Not passing judgement-I used to have quite a few "fake" fenders, in addition to "real" Fenders made in Japan. Many won't be able to tell, and many won't care if they can tell. But many can tell the guitar in the Photos is a fake.

I didn't know about Epi fakes until I read about them from this site. What I gather though, is that they seem to be more common in the UK than in the USA. But that is not really the question, it is WHO it came from. The other thing that MAY matter, is why do you care and WHERE are you located? Reason being, in some counties, the Epi brand carries more prestige, and more of a premium as far as cost, and having a fake and/or selling a fake is more looked down on as far as Epi goes because of the cost. The other reason, regarding the origins of WHO you bought it from has to do with the whole fraud thing.

Sometimes the stress of needing sleep and not being able to keeps me awake. For me, reading helps. Either the bible, or technical stuff. As opposed to magazines.

"big ten inch" Aerosmith

HA! the name of the thread was if there were es-125t owners out there, and now you are an es-125t owner.

i like to refer to that color as "HD yellow".

back door man-willie dixon

she got the jack-ac/dc

whole lotta love. zep